October 28

The long awaited trophy was in my hands. Celebrating victory with close friends downtown Athens after graduation. It’s one of those days that no one can ruin no matter how hard they try. It must feel like this after the purifying fire of purgatory has dismissed you from god’s wrath. “We have to go, Dante is waiting…”

October 29

“Call the reception and let them know we’ll be late.” The plane landed us in Rome and our car was waiting for us at the airport. Italy is so beautifully diverse that you have to see every inch of it to get a firm grasp of its entirety and surprises galore. By car or by train, even cycling for the athletic, bold nature lovers, you will discover its rich heritage and the unparallel rural diamond villages hidden within the urban behemoths. Late and a little bit lost in Siena-our previous adventure, or maybe knowingly lured by the sirens’ voices you could say.

“Wow, the last thing I expected was traffic at the entrance of the city!”

An old medieval town, Florence has very narrow streets causing drivers a short odyssey, but still it feels like you’re on the journey back home…

Time of arrival: 7:45pm. Piazza Pitti Palace, located right across the Renaissance Palace of the Medici family, the famous Palazzo Pitti. An old traditional building renovated to fit the needs of its purpose; rivet anyone who enters its gates with a vast collection of magnanimous artworks by the most admired artists of all time. But erebus has already fallen upon the city and we can’t wait to see our artistic suite, nested in this quaint hotel.

Our hosts were patiently waiting for us, even though we were over an hour late. They normally leave the premises at 6 in the evening and return the next day to prepare the lucrative morning feast for their foreign guests. Italian hospitality is incomparable and unique. Only the ancient Greek Xenia could challenge their generosity and benedictional behavior towards strangers.

“Oh my gosh! This is even better than the pictures we saw online!” Stunningly beautiful, this aristocratic dwelling was much more than we had expected. Breathtaking and spoiling even at the mere sight of it. You could instantly tell that a family of the old nobiltà italiana used to wander struttingly through these rooms. And we had only just arrived…

“I’ll prepare the whirlpool tub; it’s been a long but exciting day.”

October 30

An early wake up to see the Tuscan sun from this magical city, drinking espresso on a round wooden vintage table in a wondrous interior, gazing at one of our most awaited destinations through the long olive satin drapes decorating the casement. I don’t know if I want to leave the room or the city… Breakfast, as described, was a sample of Italian gastronomy in abundance. Plateaus with traditional cheeses and charcuterie, fruit and marmalades, honey and yogurts, oats, milk, dried fruit and some pastry collection to begin your day with. Gratified by the lucullian meal we now headed to see the rest of this city’s wonders. A short walk from here and you reach the famous arch bridge Ponte Vecchio. The small shops on both sides along the bridge are occupied by jewelers and it gave me an essence of the equivalent jewelers row on Wabash str. in Chicago. Just kidding…Equally beautiful, but so different. The shops were still closed so we decided to move on and savor the scenery. Strolling down these graphic alleyways you can sense that great personas from the Italian Renaissance have left their mark here. You could smell it in the air as if the walls exuded this aroma of grandeur.

Inhale the Florentine greatness and soon you’ll reach the next part…